The accident happened at a CF Industries facility around 6:00 p.m. in a section of the plant that had been shut down for maintenance activity.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected and their families,” said Lou Frey, Vice President and General Manager of the Donaldsonville Nitrogen Complex. “Our focus is on our number one priority – the health and safety of our employees and the community. We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our employees.”

Company officials say the tragedy occurred when a pumping truck was off-loading nitrogen into a vessel.

They say there was never a fire or chemical release because it was an explosion of pressure, described as a balloon popping.

State Police and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office as well as hazmat crews and company personnel are trying to figure out what went wrong.